Petrol vs diesel

[Mike_02]

Very true indeed....i think that when the tax arrives on diesle people may look again at petrol.

 

[Mike_02]

Re: Lawn mowers

No i don't have a blower. i just have a fuel system that does not leak. I ckeck for leaks everyday and have not found one yet.

I am happy and confident in my fuel system as i have made sure that i have the best seals and fuel line and my carb is well looked after...new seals every year.

I have many friends who have diesel engines and if it goes wrong they don't hae a clue and are stuffed....but not me...!!!

 

[Guest]

When was the last time this lawm mower motored a boat in trouble off a lee shore in a force 8+?

Apart from the (considerable) safety, longevity and financial benefits of a diesel engine, pretty much all that will stop it is water in the fuel. Get some damp on your plugs, points, distributor, coil, leads etc. etc. and prepare to repel large rocks on said lee shore :-((

Not to mention the dificuly of obtaining petrol in most locations........

Regards,

Peter
http://www.mistressofmourne.com

 

[Guest]

Re: Lawn mowers

Chrisrobb writes: When was a lawn mower in a confined space like the hull of a boat?

Actually I've got one in my hurley. Honda 4 stroke lawnmower engine. Pushes me along quite well considering it's supposed to be the other way round.

It was in when I bought it and has apparently been there for a number of years

I am however looking for an outboard to replace it, as it's supposed to be aircooled. (difficult as it's below decks). Also it has no reverse gear.

Anyone got a 6-8 hp o/b to sell?

Cheers
Jim

 

[Miker]

Having grounded the other day with the lifting keel bouncing up and down, the 30 secs wait to start the diesel seemed an eternity. I would have welcomed then the instant start of a petrol engine that I experienced while on a short cruise on Lake Michigan the other year, especially as the switch was by the tiller.

 

[numenius]

Different thing I know, but some years ago I used to do a lot off off-roading (mind, this was back when 4x4's actualy left the road and got muddy, and were not for the school run) with other folks, and we were ALWAYS having to pull some petrol engined guys out of the water obstacles whilst our diesels (naturaly) were halfway up the block in water and running fine. The same occurs to me (and God forbid) but if things ever get VERY wet I like the idea of an engine that'll keep running as long as possible.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/boaty1965/index.htm

 

[kgi]

I used to ride an off road bike, and i could take that in until the engine was under water, the only thing that would stop it was water down the air filter, just goes to show if they are prepared right they will go anywhere. PS in the gulf war the petrol landies kept running the deisel could not take the extreme heat......keith

 

[kgi]

Arrow Industries do a waterproofer for electrics, i was present at a demo when they took an ac electric motor dunked in the waterproofer let it drain turned it on and dropped in a bucket of water, and it just kept running.........lee shore... no problem, if you want a good petrol engine that will leave you breathless, Norton do a little gem, built for target aircraft but you can fit them to virtually anything, weighsthirtyfive pounds, produces thirty five hp and torquey with it!!!!

 

[tr7v8]

Petrols can be waterproofed look at the Mariner outboards on th RNLI inshore lifeboats.
Also a lot of the boat fires I read about are diesel anyway and diesel once burning is very difficult to put out.
Anyway do you hear of loads of boats catching fire in the USA where most of the boats under 30ft are petrol?

As a man with 2 x petrols in his boat it doesn't worry me.

Jim
--------

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: Lawn mowers

Jim - my first boat was a Salder 25 in which I installed a Watermota air cooled brigs and stratton engine. The bigest problem was getting rid of the hot air - and the exhaust glowed red hot! After 2 years I put a diesel engine in. Bucke 10 hp - what a relief. At the time the petrol engine was all I could afford, so they do have a place if it means yachting remain affordable to more people.

 

[Mike_02]

All i can say in answer to your post is that if you ever rely on an engine to get you out of the crap then that is very dangerous indeed.

Most if not all motorboats would not be out in that kind of weather...as for me i use my sails....and yes i do use my engine get to my mooring but if i didn't have an engine i always know of places i can go without it.

How many people out there would know within a split second what to do if their engine stopped whil in a narrow channel.....i have seen it many times and they often just freeze..and hit something...

My engine was very unreliable before i fixed if 3 years ago and that has taught me never ever to trust or rely on it. I KNOW i am a better sailor for this.

SO finally i would say that if i was out in that sort of weather i would make sure in the first place that i would not put myself in a lee shore position with rocks around...!!!!

 

[richardandtracy]

May I suggest that the design Rules specified in US Coastguard document COMDTPUB P16761.3B "Safety Standards for Backyard Boat Builders" are adhered to. (cant remember the www - but is should be possible to find). The US seem relaxed about petrol engines compared to the UK, and that's mainly because of sensible rules.

As for engines, I'm going to install a Citroen 2CV engine with 75000 miles on the clock into my Bruce Roberts Spray when I can get around to it. It doesn't have an engine yet...

 

[Guest]

I absolutely agree with the bulk of your post. Now, if you can just show me how to guarantee I never get dismasted in an unexpected blow (and I have been in this situation in my last boat when the mast step failed) anywhere near a lee shore and I'll be a happy man.

BTW, I'm not anti petrol, I had two motor boats with outboards before I started sailing. I just think diesel is safer, cheaper, more economical and the engines longer lasting. Both my cars are diesels as well.

Regards,

Peter
http://www.mistressofmourne.com

 

[hlb]

Yes. Righto. Ring the life boat in the morning and tell them to get rid of those poxy diesels sharpish and fit sails <G>

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[Guest]

Now that's just being facaetious. Stop it now, it's not big and it's not clever

Regards,

Peter
http://www.mistressofmourne.com

 

[Guest]

Generally gas appliances don't leak ..... but a petrol engine will leave vapours in bilges, generally leave the cabin smelling of Aromatic Hydrocarbons !!

I had a good Vire and that regardless of what I did always stank the cabin out after starting / running .....

Petrol vapours are heavier than air and will creep along the bilge / cockpit sole etc.

Diesel vapour is difficult to light, petrol though is explosive stuff !!

The only way I can see to make petrol engines safer is to change to injected engines instead of carburettor jobs - but again you will have to ensure good servicing and leak stoppage !!

Many boats carry them, many owners swear BY them ... they are still fitted, available .... of course there is an advantage to them ... cheaper to buy, smaller, lighter, easier to start generally and more pwoer per kilo etc. But far more expensive to run ..... still I will stick with my oil burner ... Perkins !

 

[Chris_Robb]

I agree with you - I'll stick to my Perkins

Mike_2 says that he turns the fuel off and runs the carbs dry before leaving the boat, however at a lunch time stop he doesn't. Surely with a hot engine and full carbs, this would be the most dangerous time with the hot engine and evaporation - a backfire on starting and hey presto

Can live with gas - the precautions are automatic and instilled in anyone who comes on the boat.

 

[andy_wilson]

Wankel

All wizz and no torque.

I think they would be a bit wank in a boat.

 

[kgi]

Re: Wankel

Sorry my freind wankels have torque in abundance

 

[Guest]

Should that be TALK or ..

Talk or Torque ???